Here's a vintage 1984 sneaker ad for the Mizuno MZ-84 featuring stabilizing plugs and tons of cutting edge tech for the time Back in the early 80s a lot of running shoe brands were testing out these plugs but it seems like the technology trend never really took off.
Ad info is below:
The most remarkable thing about the new MZ-84 is how it performs when it's the old MZ-84.
Anyone can make a running shoe that feels good in the store. We've just made a shoe that will still feel good hundreds of miles later. The Mizuno MZ-84. We designed it to wear better and break down far slower than any other shoe. So it offers comfort and protection far longer than any other shoe.
One reason for this is our new patented heat processed RB midsole. It allows us to keep the MZ-84 incredibly strong, as well as incredibly light. And tests show that our exclusive RB material retains its strength and resiliency when other materials have lost theirs. So the shock absorption you feel when you first run in the MZ-84 stays with you long after other shoes have gone flat.
But that's not all. Because we've also designed the MZ-84 to have the kind of long-lasting stability you simply can't find in any other lightweight training shoe.
The secret is our new, patented pronation system. First, we inject a special RB resin pronation bar into the midsole. Then, we add reinforcement with a unique system of stabilizing plugs. And f Mizuno Midsole unlike other shoes that try to solve pronation by building up the midsole, the Mizuno pro-nation system allows your foot to be positioned in the most natural, most comfortable position possible.
The MZ-84 has other outstanding features, as well. Like an extended double medial heel counter of extra-firm leatherboard material. A carbon black compounded rubber outsole. And a special fiber-board last in the sole. All designed to provide maximum flexibility, comfort, and support over many hundreds of miles.
But we don't just fine-tune the MZ-84 at the factory. We've designed it for you to fine-tune at home. Our patented Cassette Insole System lets you customize the MZ-84 to your bodyweight — for precisely the right combination of stability and shock absorption. Of course, we build many of these same features into our new MZ-84 Racer, as well. For more protection than you've ever experienced in a lightweight racing shoe. If the new Mizuno MZ-84 sounds pretty amazing, just wait until you've run in it a while. Then you'll really see why it's not just any old shoe.
Mizuno
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Our 60th year.